Aeration, Overseeding and Slit Seeding for Thin and Bare Patches
Overseeding:
Overseeding in thin grass areas or small bare patches of soil will give your lawn a fuller healthier appearance. Although overseeding can be done in several seasons (such as: late winter/early spring, spring, or late summer/early fall), Showcase recommends doing this process in the fall. Overseeding during the fall allows your lawn to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and the proper amount of rain which will support the new seeding. There are several methods of overseeding which will benefit your lawn. Aeration/overseeding is a process of seeding the lawn by perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. Aeration is accomplished by using a machine (a core aerator) which pulls plugs of soil (about the size of a thumb) out of the ground and drops them on top of the ground. By doing aeration, it helps the roots grow deeper and stronger for a fuller, healthier lawn. Seeding after aeration helps to thicken the lawn and replace any grass areas which have died off. Slit seeding is performed by using a disk-type seeder that drops grass seed into the thin cracks and crevices (slits) created by the disk seeder equipment. Using this method allows deeper contact with the soil for the seeding which enables the seeds to germinate and develop into a lush, thick lawn.
Lawn Maintenance:
Aeration and overseeding should be done at least once a year to help alleviate the wear and tear put on your lawn. Slit seeding is recommended to be done every other year or as needed for seeding dead areas of the lawn. Both aeration and the slit seeding process allows nutrients to reach the roots of your grass and improves the effectiveness of applications of fertilizer. It also stimulates and promotes better root growth and development for your grass. Subsequently, overseeding improves the resilience of your yard to drought and disease. With aeration and overseeding and slit seeding, your lawn’s appearance is visibly thicker and overall healthier.
Treatment:
The optimal time for overseeding lawns in Pennsylvania is in the fall. If left untreated, your lawn will become thin and worn due to no new growth and traffic on it. Overseeding is more successful during the time frame of late August into October because there is reduced weed competition, cooler temperatures and a good balance of rainfall. When watered on a consistent, daily basis, seed germination takes approximately 10-14 days after overseeding. Like any living thing, grass only lives so long. By overseeding, it ensures you will have a fuller, thicker lawn.
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